Hotels on the Beach in Key West

Situated in the balmy waters of the Mexican Gulf, the island of Key West offers crystal clear seas, cloudless skies and unspoiled white sand beaches. Watersports are the main form of entertainment here, with canoes, kayaks and boats all available to hire as well as snorkeling, diving and plenty of opportunity for relaxing on the beach. Key West hotels look out directly onto the ocean and cocktails, beers and soft drinks are all readily available from a broad selection of beach bars.

Things to see in Key West

Key West reviews always begin with the waterfront. There is an incredible choice of beaches, with scuba diving trips, dolphin watching and jet skiing all available on the sea front. Some of the best known beaches include student favorite Smathers beach and the breathtakingly beautiful Fort Zachary. As the sun goes down, head over to sunset pier for a picturesque stroll along the boardwalk. Here, you’ll find restaurants, cafés and street entertainers to add to the party atmosphere. One of the best known dive sites in the area is the Vandenberg wreck—hiring a guide is a good option, as the ship sits 95 feet below the water, but divers are welcome to swim through and explore the different areas. For good snorkeling, take the ferry or book a sea plane tour to the nearby Dry Torguas, which offers a huge variety of wildlife, from tropical fish to birdlife.

Beach hotels in Key West

Hotels on the beach in Key West are mostly clustered along the seafront, and cater for different budgets. Luxury Key West hotels are mostly kitted out with tennis courts, swimming pools and landscaped grounds and are designed to meet the highest standards. If you are looking for comfortable family accommodation or something a little less expensive, there are good deals to be had in some of the well-known chain hotels, and beach houses are often sublet throughout the summer season. For those on a shoestring budget, it might be worth looking a bit further inland to find cheaper bed and breakfasts that are still within walking distance of the beach.

Where to stay in Key West

Key West Hotels are never far from the beach. If you’ve got the money, the plush Southside area offers stylish luxury hotels just a few minutes from the sea. The aptly named Beachside area is also perfectly placed to give you access to the water. A paved beach path makes getting around easy and provides good access to both the downtown area and popular destinations such as Higgs and Smathers beaches. Northside offers a range of beach hotels and condos with a more moderate price tag. It is also equipped with a paved beach path, providing easy access to the New Town area.

How to get to Key West

As well as being accessible by road, Key West has its own airport with connections to cities across Florida. Connecting airports include Atlanta, New York La Guardia and Orlando International. A shuttle bus is available to take you directly to the island from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport and Miami International. There are a number of public transport options available, including a train to the nearby Fort Lauderdale, followed by a shuttle bus for the final leg of the journey. Greyhound buses also run to the island and there is a local Park and Ride scheme for those arriving by car.